Equipment for treating sewage



Jan. 28, 1947. w, SHARP 2,415,048

EQUIPHENT FOR TREA'IING SB'AGB Filed April 19, 19425 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FI G. l.

Jan. 28, 1947.

w. SHARP EQUIPMENT FOR TREATING SEWAGE Filed Aprilia, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. R A H 5 M mi L n.. w

Jan. 28, 1947. w, SHARP EQUIPMENT FOR TREATING SWAGE Filed April 19, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGJ WILLIAM SHARP.

Patented Jan. 28, 1947 EQUIPMENT FOR.` TREATING SWAGE William Sharp, Cleveland, Ohio Application April 19, 1943, Serial No. 483,574

14 Claims. (CL 261-124) This invention relates to sewage treatment,

sewage, and when the airrsupply is inadequate or impaired the sewage becomes septic.

The motion or agitation of the sewage is, in most types of equipment, dependent upon an adequately maintained air supply to secure a uniform motion of the sewage, with long contact of the air therewith, the quantity of supplied air being dependent upon the volumerof sewage to insure economical operation of the process.

Heretofore, so far as I have knowledge, the diffusion means employed consisted of porous plates or pipes having porous walls. These plates and pipes were formed of fused crystalline alumina bonded by a suitable ceramic or other material, or a high-silica sand bonded by synthetic silicate, to provide a predetermined permeability.

The porosity of these devices was due to the minute spaces or interstices between lthe grains of the material, which space obviously extended in all vdirections therebetween, so that the grains formed between them, a labyrinth of pores or channels, some closed and forming pockets and others restricted, whereby clogging of these pores resulted in\a relatively short time, and thus impaired the required supply of air to insure suflicient aeration. This clogging in turn would effect a back pressure on the motors, which operate the y blowers, causing heating thereof as well as waste One object of the invention is to provide in a tank for `aerating sewage, improved air diffusion means wherein these various objections are overcome, so that efficient operation may take place over a long period of time and the supply of air at a predetermined pressure may be economically maintained.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved diffusion means for aeratingsewage in 2 a tank wherein the diffusion means are constructed to prevent oxidation of or other reaction on the 'parts thereof due to water and various` ingredients in the sewage.

Another-object of the invention is to provide in equipment of this type an improved air diffusion mechanism wherein the air is discharged in finely divided streams or jets and then diffused over a wide area.

Another object 0f the invention is to provide in apparatus for treating sewage improved air diffusion means which will not clog up due to oxidation or contamination resulting from the sewage or ingredients therein, to insure unimpaired delivery of the air.

Another object of the invention is to provide in equipment of this type an improved air injection and diffusing mechanism arranged to automatically close due to cut-off or drop in the pressure of the air supply, to prevent inflow of the sewage or water content thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide in equipment of this type an improved air injection and diffusion mechanism which is normally close`d and opens to a predetermined position, due to the pressure of the supplied air, to provide diffusion thereof, but automatically closes when the air pressure drops or is cut off, so that the static head of the sewage seals the mechanism and prevents seepage of the sewage through the mechanism and into the air supply conduits.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved air diffusion means wherein the diffusion may be regulated or controlled.AV

A further object of the invention is toprovide age is spiral, generally referred to as the spiralf flow system of air diffusion, but the diffusion means may be applied to tanks for preliminarily aerating sewage or in processes involving a .dif-

ferent flow of the sewage, the particular dis-r closure herein being merely for descriptive purposes and not for the purpose of scope of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a portion of a sewagetreatment apparatus embodying my `invention.

limiting the Fig. 2 is a plan view of parts shown in l,

enlarged.

3 Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on the line l-I of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged perspective view of an air conduit and the air diffusing means thereon; also a view on the line 4-4 of Fia. 5.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2, enlarged; also a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 'I are perspective views of details.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a modified form of construction.

Fig. 9 is a section on the line l--S of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing another modified form of construction.

Fig. 11' is a section on the line I I-I I of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a -perspective view showing another modified form of construction.

Fig. 13 is a section on the line I 3--II of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a diiierent modification. i Fig. 15 is a section on the line Il-IB of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view showing a different arrangement of the air conduits (one conduit only .being shown).

Fig. 17 is a section on the line I'l-Il of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary plan view showing a modified formof construction.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary section on the line IS-IB of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary plan view showing another modifled form of construction.

Fig. 21 is a section on the line 2 I-2I of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary elevation showing a different form of construction.

Fig. 23 is a section on the line 23-23 of Fig. 22.

In the drawings, referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, I indicates as an entirety, a portion of an apparatus for treating sewage, that is, that portion in the treating process wherein purification of the sewage is eiected by the supply thereto of air in a diffused state and the 'air is utilized to impart motion to or circulation of the sewage so that the latter is kept highly active to the end that purification may be relatively rapid. The apparatus I shown as exemplifying one application of the invention, consists of a bed Ia mounting spaced vertical walls Ib, Ib', to provide a series of tanks 2 in side by side relation, the walls Ib' and a transverse wall Ic between them being arranged to form a supply channel 3 for sewage for two adjacent tanks, and a tunnel 4 below the wall I c through which extends an air conduit 5. The conduit 5 is connected to a power driven blower (not shown).

The tanks 2 preferably have a'predetermined width to control the flow of the sewage, but may be of any desired length. The walls Ib' are provided with openings Id controlled by lmovable gates II through which the sewage is discharged to the tanks 2. 'I indicates as an entirety the air diffusion means arranged adjacent the bottom Ia and one side wall of the tank, preferably that wall (Ib') through which the sewage is discharged.

' The air diffusion means I extend throughout the length of each tank 2. The inner sides of the walls Ib, I b', at their upper and lower ends, are provided with llets 2a to give direction to the flow of the sewage during diffusion of air thereinto. In this form of wall construction and arrangement of the air diffusion means 1, an upso that the body of the sewage takes on a spiral iiow. the dlused air in the form of ne bubbles commingling with and rising through the'i'iow stream. As the supply of sewage is continuous provision is made for conveying from the tank the activated sludge, a part of which may be returned to the tank 2 flor mixture with the sewage being treated therein.

The openings through which the activated sludge leaves the tank and the conduit and inlet for returning a portion thereof to the tank are not shown, as being well known and not necessary to a full understanding' of my invention.

'I'he air diusion means 'l consist of one or more pipes connected with the air conduit 5.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the conduit 5 is connected by pipes 8 to manifolds 9, each of which in turn is connected at opposite sides thereof to a set or plurality of spaced, parallelly related pipes I0, closed at their outer ends and each carrying a plurality of air diffusion devices 1' later referred to. 'I'he inner ends of the pipes I0 are provided with screw threaded nipples I0', which are threaded into the wall of the adjacent manifold 9. pipes I0 may be arranged in a row in end to end relation throughout the length of the adjacent tank 2, or in two rows as shown in Fig. 1.'. Each vset of pipes I0 may be removably supported on a suitable standard II. Each pipe 8 may be provided with a valve 5a, having a shank 8a' leading to a point above the'wall Ib'..

to regulate the air supply.

The diffusion devices 1' are arranged to first break up the flow of air from each pipe Il into relatively fine streams and then to supplement this action by breaking up the streams into relatively small particles which are spread outwardly and radially over a wide area to obtain the maximum diffusion.

.ward movement at one side of the tank maintain the entire volume of sewage in motion as already set forth. The diffusion devices 1' ward motion at one side of the tank is imparted consist of pairs of related elements, `each pair being similar in construction so that only the diffusion devices forming one pair of elements will be described. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the pipes I0 are polygonally shaped in cross section, (preferably square), and arranged so that two adjacent sides are disposed at substantially an angle of 45 degrees above and below an imaginary horizontal plane, the diffusion devices in this form of construction being mounted on the sides above this plane. As shown in Figs. 4. 5, 6, and 7, the related diffusion elements consist of an inner plate I2 suitably se cured in face to face relation to the outer side wall of the adjacent pipe I0, and an outer plate I3. By preference the outer plate I3 is relatively thin and formed of resilient material (preferably metal), and normally disposed in face to face relation to the inner plate I2 for a purpose later set forth. Both plates I2 and I3 are preferably formed of non-oxidizing metal (such as stainless steel) which will not be rattacked by the water and/or various ingredients in the sewage. The plate I2 is preferably secured to the adjacent wall of the pipe by a plurality of screws I4, Ila, the latter being utilized to secure the lower end portion of the outer plate I3 in position, whereby its upper end portion is free to In this form of construction sets of` These air particles which are injected into the sewage, and corn-4 swing or flex outwardly (see dotted lines in Fig. The upper portion of the plate I2 is formed with a plurality of relative small openings I2a` in registry with a slot Illa formed in the adjacent pipe I0; whereby the air supplied to the latter, and flowing through the openings I2a is broken up into relatively ne streams as it passes through the plate I2. Each of the openings I2a preferably has a diameter of approximately .062 of an inch. In the form of construction shown I provide 24 openings I2a, but the number may be increased or reduced. The upper portion of the plate I3 is shaped to extend over that area 'of the plate I2 in which the openings I2a are formed and normally closes these openings, but due to the fact that the plate I3 is formed of resilient metal, the pressure of the' air flowing through theopenings I2a serves to flex the plate I3 outwardly, as shown in dotted lines (Fig. 5), so that the air streams impinging against the plate I3 are .broken up into fine particles and diffused outwardly and substantially radially over a large area of the surrounding moving sewage. As shown, the lateral portions of ther plate I3 intermediate its upper and lower portions are cut away as shown at I3a, so that its upper portion is connected to its lower portion by a relatively narrow central neck, whereby flexing of the upper portion of the plate under the iniiuence of the air is facilitated.

By preference, the slot Illa formed in the pipe I0 is arc-shaped, the openings I2a are formed in rows correspondingly shaped and the upper terminating marginal edge of the plate I3 is concentric to the rows of the openings I2a, so that the plate I3 serves to direct the particles of air upwardly and outwardly in a fan-like direction. As the related diffusion elements I2-I3 are arranged in side by side relation along the upper walls of each pipe I0, the air diffusion into the flowing sewage is substantially` uniform from end to end of the tank 2.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that each of the related diffusion devices 1' consists of one element for breaking up the air flow into fine streams and a deflecting device which transforms these streams into small or minute particles for diffusion into the sewage.

Due to the fact that the plate I3 is resilient and normally closes the openings I2a, it will be observed that if the air pressure falls off or drops to zero, these openings will be automatically closed and the static head pressure of the sewage on the plate I3 will insure a sealing of the openings I2a thereby, so that danger of seepage of water and/or activated sludge or sewage into the adjacent pipe III and other parts of the system will be eliminated.

It will also be observed that by forming the plates I2 and I3 of a metal which will not be attacked by the water and/or ingredients in the sewage or sludge, danger of the openings I2a becoming clogged is eliminated, thereby making cleaning unnecessary and insuring long life to the diffusion means 'I.

Also, since 'the openings through the pipe wall and clogging thereof is eliminated, (a) frictional resistance to air flow is reduced so that less power is required to maintain the required' air pressure as compared to diffusion plates or`pipeshereinbefore referred to and (b) these openings may be accurately calibrated volumetrically` so that by employing'a blower having a predetermined capacity, the-vol- I2a lead directly` ume and pressure of the diffused air may be maintained constant and uniform. i

In the form of construction shown, vpairs' of diffusion devices 'I' are arranged/side by side on each upper wall of the pipe I0, each pair on one wall being opposite to a pair on the adjacent upper wall, but these pairs of devices may be arranged differently, for example, those on one wall staggered with respect to those on the other wall. The length of the pipes I0 and the number of pairs of diffusion devices 'I' as well as the volume of air and pressure thereof, will depend upon the capacity of the tank and the oxygen demand of the sewage supplied thereto to effect clarification and purification.

By preference means are provided for controlling the operation of the deilecting element I3, which control may be found desirable to prevent undue flexing of this element or due to the static head of the sewage in the tank 2 or for other reasons, to insure desired air diffusion with economical operation.

The control means pr ferably consist in forming in the deflecting el ment I3 a slot I5, and providing on the plate a screw I6, the shank of which extends throu the slot I5 and is threaded into the plate I2, he head of the screw having an overlapping rela on to the walls of the slot I5, spaced from the lement I3 to limit the outward flexing thereof. By turning the screw I6, the flexing of the plate a greater or lesser distance is controlled.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a modified form of construction wherein the air pipe Izr carrying the diffusion devices 'I' is supported on legs I1 and pro-v face relation thereto so as to normally close the 1 openings I2a', the plate I3 being operable in the manner heretofore set forth.

Figs. 12 and 13 show a construction similar to that shown in Figs. 8 and 9, except that the air pipe |032', which carries the diffusion elements IZm, I3m, is round or cylindrical and the diffusion elements are curvilinear to conform to the shape of lthe pipe wall.

Figs. 14 and 15 show a construction similar to that shown in Figs. 10 and 11, except that the pipe |012" is round or cylindrical and the resilient deflecting element l3nt' is curvilinear to conform to the pipe wall.

It4 will be understood that in the forms of construction shown in Figs. l0, 11, 14 and 15, (a) the pipes which carry the diffusion devices are preferably formed of a metal (such as stainless steel) which will not be attacked by the water and/or ingredients in the sludge or sewage, to avoid clogging of the openings in the walls thereof, and (b) the pipe wall having the openings I2a' effects the breaking up of the air into fine streams, so that a separate plate I2 is eliminated.

Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate a modified arrangement wherein one or more pipes `I`I (only one being shown), which carry the'diffusion devices 'I', extend longitudinally of the tank 2, in parallel relation, adjacent to the side wall Ib' thereof. In this arrangement an air supply connection I8 between the air conduit 5 and each pipe I1 is connection I8 may be provided with a valve I la.'

the shank of which extends to a point of access.

Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate a modied form of construction wherein the air conduit, indicated at 5x, leads through the end wall of the tank 2 and extends longitudinally thereof and pairs of related diiiusion devices l' are mounted on the walls of the conduit in side by side relation, preferably at opposite sides of an imaginary vertical plane cutting the axis oi' the conduit. Also. by preference, those portions of the wall of the conduit 5a: to which the diffusion devices 'I' are secured and related are flattened, as shown at iz' (Fig. 19).

Figs. 20 and 21 show a modified arrangement wherein one or more pipes, indicated atl, (only one being shown), which carry the diiIusion devices 1', are partially embedded in the floor or bottom wall of the tank. Where the pipes I9 are square in cross section, the pipes are arranged so that two adjacent side walls are disposed at an angle of 45. degrees to an imaginary horizontal plane, the lower adjacent side walls being embedded in the iloor or bottom wall la ofthe tank 2 and the two upper adjacent side walls being exposed above the iloor or bottom wall and -carrying the diiusion devices l', the latter being mounted'similarly to that shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

-In this form of construction, the pipes I9 may extend longitudinally of the tank, as shown in 8 conduit or the valves in the pipes B (or i8) are operated to regulate the air supply.

In the forms of construction shown in Figs. 10,.4

1l, 12l and 13, the regulating or control screws .i6 are mounted in the wall of the adjacent pipe.

Where a valved bleeder drain pipe is provided ior each air pipe, the valve element and its seat are relatively small in size to prevent undue flow of air therethroughv and thus insure economical operation of the equipment.

To those skilled'in the art to which my invention relates many vchanges in construction and .widely dinering embodiments and applications of the invention will be apparent without departing from the spirit; and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are-purely illustrative and not intended to be in any sense limiting.

Fig. 20, or the pipes may be short in length and extend at right angles to the side wall of the tank. The air supply Pipe 20 for the pipe I9 leads through one wall of the tank, for example, the end wall thereof. 2i' indicates a bleeder 'drain pipe leadingfrom the pipe Il for water due to condensation. I

The pipe 2i is provided with a normally closed valve 2Ia, arranged to automatically open -due to the pressure of the air, so that as lon'g as air.

is being supplied to the pipe I9, the valve v2ia remains open to permit drainage of the water. Figs. 22` and 23 illustrate a `mocliiled form of construction wherein the diffusion element which breaks up the air into fine streams consists of Aa section of wire screen material 22,'4 preferably stainless steel, whichmay. have any desired mesh. The material 22 lies over the slot Ila formed in the pipe Ill and is held in face-to-i'ace relation with the wall thereof by a plate 22, suitably secured tothe pipe wall, as by screws Ilz, Ilz',

the plate 23 being formed with a slot 23a coextensive in area and shape to the slot ila, and the resilient deilecting element il being secured at its lower portion to the plate 23 by the screws It will also be observed that where the diifusion devices are provided with control means, the latter may not only be adjusted to limit the ilexing of one or more deiiecting elements i3 but may be operated to prevent any flexing movement of one or more deilecting elements I3. so as to entirely close the openings or outletsfrom the adjacent pipe or pipes, whereby the total volume of air discharged into the sewage or sludge in a diil'used state may be regulated dependent upon the demand of oxygen, which demand can be determined. from time to time brtesting the activated sludge. 1 e e By preference all of the detiecting elements are adjusted by the control means to a predeter- 4WhatIclaim is:v

1. In equipment for aerating and circulating sewage, the combination withA a tank and means for supplying sewage thereto, of a horizontally disposed air pipemounted'in the tank adjacent the bottom thereof and connected to a source of air supply under pressure, the air outlet from said pipe consisting of a plurality oi relatively small openings formed in its upper portion and arranged to discharge the air therefrom in iine'streams into said tank and a plate the lower portion of which is fixed to'said pipe and its upper portion extends upwardly and outwardly therefrom and disposed in the. path of the air streams discharged through said openings, the surface of said latter portion, due 'to the impingement ofj the air thereon under pressure, serving to divert the air upwardly at an angle to the direction oi flow thereof and to break up the air into small particles for diffusion into ther sewage. to purify and eiect upward flow thereof. f

2. Equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein that portion of the plate against which the air vstreams impinge is movable toward and from -wardly into operative position due to discharge of -air through said discharge openings.

4. In equipment forv aerating and 4circulating sewage, the combination with a tank and means for supplying sewage thereto, of means for diffusing air into the sewage in said tank, said means comprising a pipe in the lower portion of said tank and having a plurality of relatively small outlets to permit discharge of the air in small streams into said -tank and a wall formed ofresilient material and consisting of a portion -flxedly related to said pipe and a movable portion normally closing said outlets, arranged to be ilexed outwardly due to the-pressure of the air discharged from said outlets, said movable lwall portion when in outwardly -ilexed position being in the path of the air streams and arranged to breakup thestreams oi' air into fine particles.

found to be excessive... main valve in the air 7s forming bubbles i'or diffusion in the sewage and effecting upward flow thereof, and means for supplying air under pressure to said pipe.

5. Equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wall of the pipe is formed of a material incapable of attack by the water and ingredients in the sewage.

6. Equipment as claimed in claim 4 wherein means are provided for adjustably limiting the flexing of the movable portion of said resilient wall.

7. In equipment for aerating and circulating sewage, the combination with a tank and means for supplying sewage thereto, of means for diffusing air into the sewage and effecting circulation thereof, comprising a pipe formed with an opening, a wall Xed to said pipe and formed with a plurality of relatively small air outlets in registry with said opening and arranged to discharge air in fine streams from said pipe, a plate formed of resilient material and having a portion flxedly related to said pipe and a portion normally engaging the outer face of said wall to close said outlets and arranged to beflexed outwardly due to pressure of the air thereon to open said outlets, said portion when exed outwardly being disposed in the path of movement of the air streams and operable to divert the air upwardly at an angle to the ow thereof and thereby break up the air streams into small particles for diffusing into the sewage and effect upward movement thereof; and means for supplying air under pressure to said pipe.

8. In equipment for purifying and clarifying sewage, the combination with a. tank and means for supplying sewage thereto, of a horizontally disposed pipe in the lower portion of said tank and diffusion means along the upper portion of said pipe at one side of a vertical plane cutting the axis thereof, said means consisting of longitudinally spaced series of relatively small air outlets leading from said pipe for discharging the air in small streams therefrom into said tank and walls, one for each series of outlets, mounted on the outer side of said pipe and each having a lower portion fixed to said pipe and an upper movable portion normally disposed in engagement with said pipe to close the adjacent series of outlets and movable outwardly, due to the pressure of the air discharged from said outlets, into the path of the air streams discharged therefrom and arranged to divert the air streams upwardly at an angle to the direction of the flow thereof and break the air up into small particles for diffusion into the sewage, means for adjustably limiting the outward movement of each of said movable wall portions, and means for supplying air under pressure to said pipe.

9. Equipment as claimed in claim 8 wherein each of said Walls is formed of resilient material, one end portion of each wall being flxedly related to said pipe and its other end portion normally sealing the adjacent outlets but free to flex outwardly into the path of movement of the air streams due to the pressure of the air discharged from said outlets.

10. Equipment as claimed in claim 8 wherein each of said walls is formed of resilient material, one end portion of each wall being flxedly related to said pipe and its other end portion normally sealing the adjacent outlets but free to flex outwardly into the path of the air streams due to pressure of the air discharged from said outlets, and means are provided for adjustably limiting the flexing of each said Wall portion.

11. In equipment for clarifying andv purifying sewage, the combination with a tank and means for supplying sewage thereto, of a pipe formed with an opening, a section of screen material in registry with and covering said opening, means for securing said section of screen material in position, and a wall formed of resilient material having a portion flxedly related to said pipe and another portion normally engaging the screen material to close the openings therein but arranged to flex outwardly due to pressure of air flowing through the said opening, said other portion of said wall, when in outwardly flexed position, being arranged to divert the air upwardly at an angle to its direction of iiow to break it up into small particles for diffusion in the sewage, and means for supplying air under pressure to said pipe.

12. In equipment for purifying and clarifying sewage, the combination with a tank and means for supplying sewage thereto, of a pipe partially embedded in the iioor or bottom wall of said tank, and diffusion vmeans on the exposed portion of said pipe comprising a plurality of relatively small outlets leading from said pipe to discharge the air therefrom `in streams into said tank, and a wall formed of resilient material flxedly related to said pipe and having a portion lying over said outlets to normally close them, said portion being free to flex outwardly due to the pressure of the air discharged from said outlets, said wall portion, when in outward position, being disposed in the path of the air streams and serving to break them up into small particles for diffusion in the sewage, and means for supplying air under pressure to said pipe.

13. In equipment for aerating and circulating sewage, the combination with a tank and means for supplying sewage thereto, of an air pipe mounted in said tank adjacent to the floor thereof and having a plurality of relatively small air outlets arranged to discharge the air from said pipe in small streams into said tank, a plate formed of resilient material having one end portion thereof flxedly related to said pipe and another end portion thereof normally closing said outlets but freely operable outwardly due to the pressure of the air discharged from said outlets, said last mentioned portion, when in outwardly flexed position, being disposed in the path of the air streams and serving to break up the air streams into ne particles for diffusion into the sewage, said plate being reduced intermediate its fixed and free end portions, and means for supplying air under pressure to said pipe.

14. Means for diffusing air into sewage in a tank comprising an air supply pipe formed with an opening, a wall iixedly related t0 said ypipe and formed with a plurality of relatively `small openings in registry with said first mentioned opening for discharging air passing through the opening in the pipe in small streams and a plate formed of resilient material, the lower end portion of the plate being xedly related to said wall and its upper end portion being free and arranged to normally engage that portion of said Wall in which the discharge openings are formed to close the latter, but adapted to iiex outwardly due to the pressure of the air supplied to the pipe, said upper free end portion of said plate, when :dexed outwardly, being arranged to divert the air discharged from said small openings upwardly at an angle to the direction of flow thereof and break up the air streams into small particles for diffusion in the sewage- WILLJAM SHARP. 

